Dentist Laura swaps root canals for rowing canals as she joins team GB

Lauren Cosgrove, 25, from Southport and several other members from Amathus will all be racing as part of Team GB against competitors from across the world, in both the Premier and Senior A categories.

Team GB have attended either European or World championships every year since the first international championships in 1995. The premier squad trains together once a month in locations around the UK as well as training individually 8-10 times per week. This year, the GB premier squad is comprised of members from eight different dragon boating clubs from cities across the UK.

Dragon boating is the UK’s fastest-growing water sport and attracts people from all walks of life.

Lauren, a local NHS dentist, has been dragon boating since 2018. She got into the sport as her then boyfriend, now husband, was heavily involved in the sport on a national and international level and strongly encouraged her to have a go. “I’m really excited to be a part of Team GB again this year,” she said, “Last year, I was very fortunate to be selected to go to the European Championships, coming away with two bronze medals. With further hard work, I was selected again this year to attend the World Championships! I can’t wait to get out to championships and compete on the world stage, against some of the best countries in the world.”

Alongside a packed training schedule, the squad are trying to raise funds to help meet the cost of entry into the championships. This includes essential kit and entry fees as well as travel and accommodation costs for every training weekend and the championships themselves – a total of nearly £3,000 per person. Funds are raised through a combination of donations and sponsorships, with a number of sponsorship opportunities available for businesses. I also have a go fund me page https://gofund.me/89cb9842

The international championships will take place in Pattaya, Thailand, from Monday 7 to Sunday 13 August. The GB premier squad will be racing against teams from Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sweden and Thailand.